Time-controlled mechanism.



J. D. HUMPHREY. TIME CONTROLLED MECHANISM;

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 3. 1918. 1,293,102.

Patented Feb. 4, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

.v, llllllllllll B A fiGF/WEQ J. D. HUMPHREY. TIME CONTROLLED MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 3. I918. 1,293,102. Patented Feb. 4,1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

In van for Affarneg J. D. HUMPHREY. TIME CONTROLLED MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 3. [918. 1,293, 1 O2. Patented Feb. 4, 1919.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

JOHN D. HUHPHREY, OF WATEBCBURY, CONNECTICUT,

ASSIGNOR 01" ONE-HALF TO GEORGE E. CLARK, OF WATEBVILLE, CONNECTICUT.

TIME-CONTROLLED MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 4, 1919.

Application filed September 8, 18518. Serial No. 252,315.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JoHN D. HUMPHREY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Waterbury, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Time- Controlled Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a time controlled apparatus, the principal object of the invention being the provision of an article of this character which is simple in construction and positive and certain in action, and

' wherein the alarm is silent or practically so,

being of such nature as to impart a blow to an individual. While the device is susceptible of general employment, it is of particular utility, however, for use by deaf persons and nurses for invalids, the latter being not only awakened but frequently affected more or less seriously by the ringing of a bell, gong or similar noise producing appurtenance.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification I have shown in detail a form of embodiment of the invention which I will set forth fully in the following description. I do not necessarily restrict myself to this particular dis- 44 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrow, certain of the parts being shown in different positions by full and dotted lines.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4, also looking in the direction of the arrow.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the device in action with respect to the occupant of a bed which is also shown.

Fig. 7 is a detail of a ball partly broken away.

Like characters refer to like v parts throughout the several views which are on different scales. {is will be inferred the appliance involves 1n 1ts structure time controlled means or instrumentalities by which a certain function can be obtained at a pre-selected moment. The time controlled means is preferably presented by a practically standard alarm clock. The alarm clock, however, will not have the usual bell or gong but in lieu of it has means by which a sleeper will be struck usually a light blow, to awaken him at the proper time.

A clock such as meets my requirements is denoted by 2. This clock is sustained by a base or foundation as 3. It is generally rigid with the foundation, and this result can be obtained by the employment of a securing device such as the strap 4 which fits around the upper part of the clock, and the ends of which are offset and connected as by screws 5 or equivalent means with the base.

As will be understood the arrangement comprises a suitable striker and that denoted in a general way by 6 meets my requirements in a satisfactory manner. This striker consists of a base section as 7 and a cap section as 8 and intermediate sections as 9 which are telescopically connected as shown. This provides a convenient way of securing the longitudinal or endwise adjustment of the striker. The base section is mounted in some convenient way, preferably detachably, and I will hereinafter explain a way of ac complishing this result. The cap section as I have considered it is provided with a striker member as 10, which may be in the form of a rubber sphere or ball attached suitably to the cap section or short rod 8. The base section as shown has in its lower end an opening or slot as 11 to receive the pin 12 between the companion uprights 13 rising from the rear side of the base 3. From this it will be clear that the striker is detachably mounted.

In Fig. 3 the full lines show the striker 6 in set relation, in which condition it is held by time controlled mechanism as I will hereinafter set forth. When the striker is set, it stands at a comparatively slight outward slant, in view of which circumstance when it is released fall as shown for instance by the dotted it can immediately I lines and arrow in said Fig. 3, and the apparatus as a unit having been previously set, the ball or striking member 10 will hit the desired part of a person and thus awaken him without unnecessary shock. The face, the forearm, trunk or in fact any other suitable part of asleeper may be struck by the striker member 10, and if he be sleeping, will instantly awaken him.

The means for'holding the striker 6 in set relation, which I have shown, will now be set forth. From a rear back corner of the base rises the upright 14 having an overhanging arm 15 to which is pivoted the pendent detent member or latch 16, furnished near its lower end with a lateral extension or pin 17, constituting the active or efiective portion of the detent member or latch, the pin by its own weight or automatically constantly standing vertical, so that when the striker 6 is set as already described, the pin 17 can engage the projection 18 rigid with the striker as shown by full lines in both Figs. 2 and 3. When the detent or latch 16 is moved laterally toward the left as shown in Fig. 2 and as represented by dotted lines therein, the pin 17 will be disengaged fromthe projection 18, and as a result will release the striker 8, so that it can fall. The upright 14 is provided with an inward projection or arm 19, constituting a suitable guide and adapted to be traversed by the detent on its movements.

In Fig. 4 I have shown enough of a clock movement to indicate the mode of operation of the device. In this view the back and front movement plates are denoted by 20 and 21 respectively. Between these two plates is mounted for rotation the arbor 22, around which is coiled the spring 23, one end of the spring being connected with the arbor and the other end being fixed to a' stationary arbor as 24 fastened between the back and front movement plates. The ro-,.

ta-ry arbor 22 extends through the back of the clock case and has rigid and therefore rotative with it, the disk 25, constituting a suitable operating member and provided with an outwardly extendin pin 26, the purpose of which is to act agalnst the pin 17 to release the detent 16 at the proper time from 'the striker 8, so that the latter can fall in the manner already described. Rotative with the arbor 22 is the spur gear 27 in mesh with the lantern wheel 28 on the arbor 29, rota-tive between the plates 20 and 21. Fixed to this arbor 29 is the wheel 30, having on its back face the pins 31 and on its inner face shorter pins 32 which may be respectively integral if desired.

Between the back and front movement plates 20 and 21 is supported the arbor 32 which slidingly receives the spur gear 33 in mesh with and o erable by the time brain. This gear is prov'dbd with the hub 34 having the let-01f notch 35 to receive the pin 36 On the arbor 32. The spring 37 fastened at its butt to the front movement plate 21 is provided with an inward extension 38 which is adapted when the clock is set to engage under one of the pins 32 as shown by full lines in Fig. 4. It will be assumed that the clock is wound and that the parts are in their full line position as shown in Fig. 4, the sprin 23 being of course wound and the disk 25 being in position to maintain the pin or stud 26 in the full line position in Fig. 2. When the time for which the alarm has been set is reached, the notch 35 will be brought opposite the pin 36, thus permitting the spring 37 to swing outward or to the dotted line position in Fig. 4, thus correspondingly and naturally moving the gear 33 and carrying the extension 38 from under the pin or stud 32 which it has been holding. This releases the spring 23, so that the arbor 22 can be turned to eii'ect the movement of the disk 25 in the direction of the arrow applied thereto in Fig. 2. On such movement of the disk, it engages the pin 17 and trips the pin and frees it from the projection 18,

released and time operated in'the manner set forth, the arm or projection 39 is swung upward in the direction of the arrow, and as a result the spring 40 is stretched abnormally and noiseless movement as a consequence being taken by the disk 25 and associated parts.

The front movement plate 21 is provided with an inward projection 45 furnished with a lateral bend 46 having an opening 47 through which the inward portion 38 of the spring 37 extends, to thus maintain said portion 38 in proper relation at all times.

In Fig. 6 I have shown a use of the invention. In this particular case the clock 2 is supposed to be mounted on a table as 50, next the bed 51. The dotted lines in said Fig. 6 show the striker 6 in its normal position. In thi view the striker is supposed to have been released and by gravity following the direction of the arrow falls until the striking member or ball 10 hits the'occupant of the bed 51 and causes him to awake in the manner shown by full lines.

What I claim is:

1. The combination of an automatically I advance thereof, a longitudinally adjustable striker lever automatically movable and provided with a striker member, and a detent provided with means to engage the striker lever and normally hold it against movement,

the pin on the movement of the disk being 20 adapted to engage and trip the detent and thus release the striker lever and permit movement of the same.

In testimony whereof I aflixmy signature in the presence of tWo Witnesses.

JOHN D. HUMPHREY.

Witnesses ANNA GoDLUNn, HEATH SUTHERLAND. 

